What's the country calling code for France?

Before you call a French phone number from the UK, it's important to know a few key dialling rules that'll help you get connected.

This guide is designed to clear up any confusion. We explain the international code for France (+33), walk you through the exact dialling steps for both landlines and mobiles, and share tips on saving money and avoiding common mistakes, whether you’re calling from home or using a Revolut eSIM while travelling.

eSIM T&Cs and fees apply.

Understanding the international code for France

Making an international call requires a specific, multi-step sequence. The full sequence is essential to direct your call and ensure a successful connection.

The role of the international access code (00 or +)

Your call must begin with an international access code, also known as an exit code. This tells your phone company that the next digits are for a country outside of your own.

• Calling from a mobile phone: you should always start your sequence with +. This allows your phone company to redirect your call out of your country. Since most customers use mobile phones, this makes things simpler.
• Calling from a landline: you must start with 00 instead of +. This is the standard international exit code for the UK and many other countries.

The mandatory French country code: 33

Immediately following your exit code, you must dial the country code. In this case, use the French dialling code, 33.

Whether you begin with the landline exit code or the mobile + symbol, the combined sequence is the international dialling code for France.

• Mobile full start: +33

Example: if the French mobile number is 06 98 76 54 32, you'd dial +33 6 98 76 54 32.

• Landline full start: 00 33

Example: if the French number is 01 40 12 34 56, you'd dial 00 33 1 40 12 34 56.

Understanding this format is the first step in mastering the correct French phone number format.

How to call a phone number in France from the UK

Once you've entered the country code, the rest of the sequence is easy — you just need to dial the French phone number. But there’s one important thing to remember: French phone numbers usually start with a 0 when you're calling from within France. But if you're calling from the UK or any other country, you don’t use this 0. You leave it out and just dial the rest of the number.

The comprehensive format you need to follow is:

1. UK exit code or +
2. France country code: 33
3. 9-digit French number (without the initial 0)

All calls to French numbers, whether landline or mobile, must total 9 digits following the country code.

Dialling French mobile numbers

French mobile numbers typically begin with 06 or 07 when dialled from within France.

Example: 06 XX XX XX XX or 07 XX XX XX XX.

However, as mentioned above, you need to drop the 0 and replace it with +33 when you're calling from the UK.

Example: +33 6 XX XX XX XX or +33 7 XX XX XX XX.

Dialling French landlines: regional area codes explained

French landline numbers are split into 5 geographic zones. When you're calling from the UK, drop the 0 and dial the single-digit zone code, followed by the remaining 8 digits.

For example, if your contact in Paris provides the landline number 01 40 12 34 56, the correct international dialling code for France would be +33 1 40 12 34 56.

How to save your French contacts

For seamless calling and messaging, especially when you're travelling or using apps, you should always save your French contacts in the international format.

Always save the contact starting with the + symbol and the country code.

• Correct mobile save: +33 6 98 76 54 32
• Correct landline save: +33 1 40 12 34 56

This standard format ensures that apps and services correctly interpret the number, removing any need to manually adjust the format or exit code, regardless of your current location.

Why didn't my call to France work?

Common dialling mistakes

If you tried to call a French contact and your call failed, you've most likely made a common dialling mistake. Even with the French country code entered correctly, other small mistakes in the sequence can stop your call from going to plan.

Mistake 1: forgetting to drop the domestic 0

This is the most common error for international calls to France. The domestic trunk code, 0, is only used for local calls within France. When you dial the country code, it should replace the 0, so make sure you're not leaving it in.

Mistake 2: incorrect number of digits after the country code

French phone numbers should be 10 digits long for domestic calls. When you dial internationally, you remove the 0 from the number. This means you need 9 digits right after the +33 country code. Including too many or too few digits will result in a connection failure.

Make sure you check the number you're dialling contains exactly 9 digits after the +33 code.

Mistake 3: the hidden costs of international calling

Even if your call connects, you might be shocked at how much it costs. If you're using a standard UK phone plan, calling France can incur significant per-minute charges.

Make sure you check your network provider's specific international calling rates to France before you dial. This is especially important if you're travelling to France from the UK. Relying on UK network roaming for calls and data in France is notoriously expensive, which leads many customers to seek alternatives. Our France eSIM offers a digital solution, allowing you to instantly buy data plans in-app and bypass those costly traditional roaming fees.

What's the best time to call France?

Compared to calling Australia or Canada, managing the time difference for France is much simpler. Mainland France operates on Central European Time (CET/CEST), which is only an hour ahead of the UK, all year round.

Since the time difference is small, you can usually plan calls without much trouble. For example, 9am in London would be 10am in Paris.

Other French phone number types (toll-free and premium)

It's useful to know about 2 other types of numbers you might encounter:

• Non-geographic (08): these numbers are often used by businesses and institutions. When dialled domestically, they start with 08. You must drop the 0 when calling internationally. Some of these numbers may not connect from outside France or may incur special charges.
• Short codes (e.g. 10 XX): these are specialised, short-service numbers. They aren't diallable from outside France.

Staying connected internationally: our eSIM for French travel

If you're heading to France, managing your data and communication should be as easy as knowing the international code. Excessive data roaming charges are a thing of the past when you travel with us.

Eliminating roaming fees with a prepaid eSIM

Traditional roaming is expensive and unpredictable, and buying a local SIM card in France is inconvenient and involves physical insertion. Our eSIMs offer a digital solution that solves both problems.

A Revolut eSIM allows you to buy prepaid data packages in-app, without needing to buy a physical SIM card. This ensures you have high-speed data access the moment you land, eliminating the stress of searching for WiFi or a local mobile shop.

You can instantly top up your data plan in-app, keeping you connected for maps, messaging, and internet calling services without steep international charges.

Benefits beyond calling: data plans for French travel

We offer flexible eSIM data plans that suit different travel durations and needs.

• Our global eSIM: for customers travelling through multiple countries (e.g. France, Germany, and Spain), a European or even a global eSIM plan might offer the most flexibility
• Our eSIM for France: if you're only exploring France, a regional eSIM plan may be more cost-effective

Sending and managing money in France from the UK

Managing money across borders can be challenging, especially for travellers and those dealing with payments in Euros (EUR).

International money transfers: sending EUR seamlessly

If you need to send money to a French bank account for rent, accommodation, or tuition, we simplify the process with international transfers. You can execute transfers directly from your Revolut account, with competitive exchange rates. This helps you quickly manage your money across borders, ensuring your recipient receives the money from you as efficiently as possible.

Exchanging and spending: using your Revolut card in France

France can be expensive, so it's important to get the best exchange rate you can on the Euro. Using a Revolut card can help you manage your budget effectively.

You can hold and exchange EUR at competitive exchange rates in-app. When you spend using your card in France, we automatically use the best available rate, so you aren't hit with the excessive fees that traditional banks often charge for foreign transactions.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What's the difference between +33 and 0033?

Both +33 and 0033 represent the country code of France. The difference is in how you dial them: 00 is the international exit code specifically for a UK landline, while the + symbol is the universal international access code for mobiles. For ease, always use +1 on a mobile phone.

Can I text a France phone number using +33?

Absolutely. Text messaging follows the same format as voice calls. You must begin the number with +33, then drop the 0 from the French number.

What about calling French overseas territories?

French overseas territories (like Réunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and French Guiana) don't use the +33 code. They use separate country codes like +262 for Réunion, or +590 for Guadeloupe. If you're calling from outside mainland France, you must verify the specific territory code.

How to get started with Revolut

Ready to simplify your international travel and spending? Here's how you can use Revolut to stay connected and manage your money across the globe:

1. Sign up: open your account in minutes through the app
2. Order your card: get your physical card and instantly access global spending power with competitive exchange rates
3. Activate your eSIM: purchase and install your Revolut eSIM digitally to get data in France and over 100 countries, helping you avoid unexpected roaming charges
4. Send money seamlessly: make fast, cost-effective international transfers in EUR and many other currencies in-app

You can learn more about how Revolut is helping customers connect with our other regional calling guides, such as the calling code for Canada, the calling code for Australia, and the calling code for India.

Other guides are available for the calling code for Ireland, the calling code for Malaysia, the calling code for Mexico, the calling code for Nigeria, the calling code for UK, and the calling code for US.

The information provided is accurate as of 10 October 2025.

Exchange fees, remittance fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.